The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-07
THE ORATOR OF LIBERTY.
Wendell Phillips's Eloquence-An Inspired
Effort that Chang 2 ed the Course of History.

Wendell Phillips's ElOquence-An Inspired
Effort that Changed the Course of History.
Lecture by George William Curtis
Revolutionary traditions were the native air Of
Wendell Phillips When he was born in Bos-
ton, in 1911. many old figures fingered. In 1920
when but nine years DID, the debate began which
he to finish. the first words against slavery
were spoken in the debate over the admission of
Missouri to the Union The highly bred boy
played upon Beacon Hill till, at the age of six
teen he entered Harvard College. His class
mates still living remember his pride and re-
serve, and his kindly bearing and ready
tongue He was not devoted student nor did
he forecast the reformer. Still in their memory
he walks those college paths He graduated in
1881, the year of Turner's rebellion in Virginia
and of William Lloyd Garrison's launching of his
newspaper Phillips began the study of law. If,
musing over Coke and Blackstone, he sometimes
forecast the future, he doubtless saw himself
succeeding Fisher Ames or Daniel Webster in
representing Massachusetts in the national
corncils-the idol of society, the exponent of the
elegant repose Of aristocratic Massachusetts.
That force which can exchange these rosy
hopes for ignominy and defeat and climb over
them to final prosperity is the true test of noble
manhood. The time in which he studied law
was1eA era of moral apathy In 1884 the slave
interest had become one of the most powerful
forces in the world. The throne of England at
its mightiest moment, the English arstocracy
at the beginning of the century, were not
so strong slavery in this country fifty
years ago when this young lawyer sat in his Of
fee and ioked with his fellows about the client
that was yet to come. One sunny afternoon in
October, 1885, the ciant came. but in what a
form! In the very. shadow of the old State
house he saw American women insulted for be-
friending their sisters whose children were sold
from their arms. Himself citizen soldier, he
looked to see the upholders of the law do their
sworn duty, but he soon saw that they
themselves were the offenders. 1t
enough. He was bred in the revolutionary ira
ditions. His blood ran from the revolutionary
~
son that afternoon to protect him from the fury
of the mob the greatest victory in the war for
freedom had been won in the person of Wendell
Phillips. There stood the long expected client.
degraded humanity! We who recall the life
and the sacriice-do we not hear in the air of
that long vanished October day the benediction
he could not hear, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto
the least of these, my brethren, ye did it unto
me2'
It was till Loveioy was killed that the world
got glimpse of the fierce passions which glowed
under the seeming peace OF the American
Union. Faneuil Hall was at first refused for
meeting called to denounce the Alton riot, but
afterward it was opened, and never since the
massacre of State street had Boston seen such
an earnest throng in Faneui Hail. 1t was an
was in the air. The voice OF the leading official
present said. amid the plaudits of the audience,
that Lovejoy had died as the fool dieth. Was
the spirit of the revolution extinct! In the very
that cruel speech? By the grace Of God, there
was The heart of young Phillips burned with
in him. He said to those around him: "Such
speech in Fsneuil Hall should be answered
answer it9' said a friend. Help me to the
platform and I WILL he replied He mounted
the platform, and was greeted with storm of
hostile cries. He stood there in all the beauty
and grace of imperial youth The Greeks would
have said god descended. In a voice of warn
ing he called Boston to herself. Once more its
native music sounded in Faneuil Hall There
had been no such speech since Patrick Henry s
warning to George the Third. Three such
scenes ilumine national history-Patrick
Henry at Williamsburg, Wendell Phillips in
Faneuil Hall, and Lincoln at Gettysburg. There
is no fourth. 1t was speech to arouse ma
ton and change history AS the liberty cause
passed from moral to political action the sound
of speech which had never before been heard
filled the air. But above all the voices that of
Wendell Phillips arose as one clear voice in a
chorus rises like a lark above all the others.
Wendell Phillips was the orator as others were
| the statesmen of liberty, Webster, Everett.
Clay and Choate were still alive, but Phillips
differed from all more than they differed from
| each other. They spoke on accepted views with
| parties behind them. Phillips stood alone Both
| parties opposed him. He must make new
party. Public opinion denounced him. He
must change it His speech popular appeal
Tor an unwelcome cause, and the chances OF sue
cess lay in his power to charm the people into
his way Of thinking He faced his audience
with tranquil mien, and beamng aspect
| never dimmed. He made no passionate appeal
nor feigned emotion 1t was simple colloony-
| a gentleman conversing. How 1t done
| How was Mozarts music made? Why do the
| birds s;ngl He glowed with concen
trated and perfumed fire. His pure
and eloquent blood spoke in his cheek. and on'
| might say his whole body spoke This was NJ
orator of ancient times; it was an American pa
triot, modern son of liberty. pleading with TIM
| American conscience for the chained and speech
less victim of American inhumanity.
To understand Phillips must recall tn
history of the country. independent Amerie